His (PhD?) supervisor should be fighting for him and protecting him and his rights. Who is the guy and what is he doing about this issue?
Sorry, TAFKAHH submitted the last two posts.
Shawn has a few more months of graduate work for his Ph.D., or so I'm told
I don't know all of the isues here. Can someone list the issues as requested above. What about the other founder members? How do they figure here. Could it be that due to their financial input Shawn cannot shut down or they might sue him. Maybe that could be his defence to delay the procedings until his PhD is completed. But I would like to know what his supervisor is doing about supporting him. I would fight to the death for my PhD students; indeed even undergraduate supervisees put under my charge. Unless PhD students know they can get that sort of support doing a PhD could be very risky (for a hundred different reasons). Is this the sort of standard of supervision at JH? Maybe the guy is Ok but if so then has Shawn asked for help?
Are there JH regulations that prevent students from doing anyhting like this that Shawn should have known about before starting up. How do JH figure in the running of the forum/site/URL etc. Is there a cost to them. Have there been complaints to them (eg are there any abusers of the forum - language, sex, flaming JH, etc, etc)? How high has the demand to quit come from? Vice Chancellor (or whatever at JH) or departmental, shareholders, political? Have any legal eagles from or behalf of JH been involved? Has Shawn taken any (of his own) legal advice at all? (About both the forum closure/name change and about his personal position that might be affected by this matter). I assume that the matter of ISP will have to change whatever???
Are there JH regulations that prevent students from doing anyhting like this that Shawn should have known about before starting up. How do JH figure in the running of the forum/site/URL etc. Is there a cost to them. Have there been complaints to them (eg are there any abusers of the forum - language, sex, flaming JH, etc, etc)? How high has the demand to quit come from? Vice Chancellor (or whatever at JH) or departmental, shareholders, political? Have any legal eagles from or behalf of JH been involved? Has Shawn taken any (of his own) legal advice at all? (About both the forum closure/name change and about his personal position that might be affected by this matter). I assume that the matter of ISP will have to change whatever???
Shawn founded the site several years ago as his own little personal vanity site but soon realized the greater importance of the community and changed mind-brain.com into a community site by providing forums and working with other individuals who contributed to the site both financially and otherwise.
To my knowledge, Shawn tried explaining to the university that the site was a community and did not belong solely to any individual, but they did not buy it, and essentially threatened his association with JHU unless he complied with their demand for ownership of the domain 'mind-brain.com'. Now, either JHU does not realize that they have no legal claim to the 'mind-brain.com' domain, or they understand they have no legal right but realize that they have a lot of weight to throw around because they're a university with lots of money and lawyers to throw at Shawn if he should decide to disregard or otherwise challenge their demand for his domain. Personally, I'm inclined to the second suggestion, that the university knows they have no legal basis for the domain but nonetheless know that they can probably get away with it because Shawn will take his longer-term plans into account and will not want the university causing problems for him down the road.
It's possible to win the battle but lose the war. If Shawn chooses to win the legal battle against the Hopkins behemoth of hypocrisy and corruption, then it will likely spell trouble for him down the road. Hence the dilemma; choose to win the legal battle but have to deal with any negative effects JHU chooses to inflict on Shawn down the road, or submit to their ridiculous demand with the understanding that it's probably best for his long-term interests if he does so.
It might be a good idea to discuss new domain names for this site assuming the hooligans at JHU achieve their objective.
To my knowledge, Shawn tried explaining to the university that the site was a community and did not belong solely to any individual, but they did not buy it, and essentially threatened his association with JHU unless he complied with their demand for ownership of the domain 'mind-brain.com'. Now, either JHU does not realize that they have no legal claim to the 'mind-brain.com' domain, or they understand they have no legal right but realize that they have a lot of weight to throw around because they're a university with lots of money and lawyers to throw at Shawn if he should decide to disregard or otherwise challenge their demand for his domain. Personally, I'm inclined to the second suggestion, that the university knows they have no legal basis for the domain but nonetheless know that they can probably get away with it because Shawn will take his longer-term plans into account and will not want the university causing problems for him down the road.
It's possible to win the battle but lose the war. If Shawn chooses to win the legal battle against the Hopkins behemoth of hypocrisy and corruption, then it will likely spell trouble for him down the road. Hence the dilemma; choose to win the legal battle but have to deal with any negative effects JHU chooses to inflict on Shawn down the road, or submit to their ridiculous demand with the understanding that it's probably best for his long-term interests if he does so.
It might be a good idea to discuss new domain names for this site assuming the hooligans at JHU achieve their objective.
it's a gamble, all right. Maybe you can do just fine without the favor of JHU? Maybe there are other institutions that would be happy to have you, and who can provide you with what you need to do your work?
If Shawn chooses to appease ignorant Nazis and makes no attempt to get a good contingency lawyer who will make him rich - then Shawn can and might just as well sell his soul and stop thinking of himself as a true scientist. Unfortunately this is the very thing that causes most so-called scientists to toe the line ever since the Palmer Raids that brought us the tyrant J. Edgar Hoover.
Look at what has happened to Dan - he actually might have had an open mind at some point.
Once you rationalize lies a few times in favor of money you are no longer a real scientist. I can also say that if they are trying to rein him in and he backs down - it will mean he has to do what they say for a long time and it will be harder to get his doctorate than if he causes them to have to back down. But as I told Shawn a few months ago - associating with me was going to bring this kind of nuisance. Not to say I know it is what I am saying that has caused this to happen.
And if it is - Shawn can simply ask me to leave and I will. But they might not want to admit that or any of the reasons for what they are doing - as you say 'throwing their weight around'. Hell it could just be the harbinger of things to come on a far larger scale - after all Bush is back in power with a clear mandate to do the same kind of thing to the whole world.
Look at what has happened to Dan - he actually might have had an open mind at some point.
Once you rationalize lies a few times in favor of money you are no longer a real scientist. I can also say that if they are trying to rein him in and he backs down - it will mean he has to do what they say for a long time and it will be harder to get his doctorate than if he causes them to have to back down. But as I told Shawn a few months ago - associating with me was going to bring this kind of nuisance. Not to say I know it is what I am saying that has caused this to happen.
And if it is - Shawn can simply ask me to leave and I will. But they might not want to admit that or any of the reasons for what they are doing - as you say 'throwing their weight around'. Hell it could just be the harbinger of things to come on a far larger scale - after all Bush is back in power with a clear mandate to do the same kind of thing to the whole world.
| QUOTE (Robert the Bruce @ Nov 04, 08:06 PM) |
| Look at what has happened to Dan - he actually might have had an open mind at some point. |
never! I've always been an agent of da man
| QUOTE |
But as I told Shawn a few months ago - associating with me was going to bring this kind of nuisance. |
I doubt you have anything to do with it, RTB. You're a legend only in your own mind
First, I want to thank every one for the support you have all shown to the mind-brain community and to Shawn during this trying period.
But I do want to put this into perspective for you all: Shawn is a graduate student at Johns Hopkins not a regular employee. He is nearing the end of his graduate program that he has invested almost five years of his life into. It is not feasible for him to throw away the last five years of his life in order to fight this matter and start over with another institute.
The reality is this is not fair, it is not legal and it is not right. I personally find the whole situation morally reprehensible and am very angry about it. Shawn is also angry as I gather many here are. We all have a right to our anger but we also have to exist in reality. Yes, we would win in court but at what cost to Shawn's career and future? This site is not worth us losing our future over. Especially when it all comes down to a name.
Rest assured that no one here has caused this problem. We actually know who the individual is who brought this to the University's attention and it is not one of our valued members.
I encourage you all to vent your anger and frustration, to rant and rave and get it all out of your system. But when that is done I hope the Unknown and Knowns alike will join us in preparing for the future and the move. There is a lot to be done-foremost deciding on a new name for the site- and I hope you will all join us in moving forward in this matter and not in accusing my husband of being a sell out or lacking a back bone because we aren't willing to throw his career away over this.
Thank you.
But I do want to put this into perspective for you all: Shawn is a graduate student at Johns Hopkins not a regular employee. He is nearing the end of his graduate program that he has invested almost five years of his life into. It is not feasible for him to throw away the last five years of his life in order to fight this matter and start over with another institute.
The reality is this is not fair, it is not legal and it is not right. I personally find the whole situation morally reprehensible and am very angry about it. Shawn is also angry as I gather many here are. We all have a right to our anger but we also have to exist in reality. Yes, we would win in court but at what cost to Shawn's career and future? This site is not worth us losing our future over. Especially when it all comes down to a name.
Rest assured that no one here has caused this problem. We actually know who the individual is who brought this to the University's attention and it is not one of our valued members.
I encourage you all to vent your anger and frustration, to rant and rave and get it all out of your system. But when that is done I hope the Unknown and Knowns alike will join us in preparing for the future and the move. There is a lot to be done-foremost deciding on a new name for the site- and I hope you will all join us in moving forward in this matter and not in accusing my husband of being a sell out or lacking a back bone because we aren't willing to throw his career away over this.
Thank you.
aw, c'mon Tab. The realistic view just isn't very fun! 
;-)
I know Dan. I am no fun at all lately, though. This is my life after all :-P
I really appreciate your comments in this thread, though. You have been a member here a long time and I appreciate your input. I hope you all plan to follow us to the new site. This place wouldn't be the same without all of you
I know Dan. I am no fun at all lately, though. This is my life after all :-P
I really appreciate your comments in this thread, though. You have been a member here a long time and I appreciate your input. I hope you all plan to follow us to the new site. This place wouldn't be the same without all of you
Dan, no, no relation to JHU. I was told the name of the university the individual is with but I forgot.
Unknown & Dan I hope you understand why I removed the email address. As tempting as it is to let this person have it, we really could get into trouble with our host if we allow the address to be posted and encourage people to write them over this. And we want to retain the host when we move since it has served us so well for so long.
Thanks for understanding.
Unknown & Dan I hope you understand why I removed the email address. As tempting as it is to let this person have it, we really could get into trouble with our host if we allow the address to be posted and encourage people to write them over this. And we want to retain the host when we move since it has served us so well for so long.
Thanks for understanding.
no prob
I've already tracked down this guy and his website for my personal viewing pleasure, but I shall leave him alone and keep his identity to myself for your security needs
I've already tracked down this guy and his website for my personal viewing pleasure, but I shall leave him alone and keep his identity to myself for your security needs
*grin* Thanks, Dan. I appreciate your restraint ;-)
Jealous over the success of this site - please.
What success? JHU is not interested in having the site - just the name and forcing Shawn to know they are in a position to do what they want. This lesson is an important lesson - and I can understand why people choose to acquiesce to such pressure but I have chosen to not do any such thing in my life and I will not be party to it.
If it is successful it is only because people have been allowed their right to express themself. Why would a university want to stop free expression? Ask yourselves if you honestly think there is a chance in hell that JHU could be named in a lawsuit and then proceed to act against Shawn? NO WAY! It would increase their risk exposure for a truly major lawsuit having to do with his potential earnings for decades. Their insurance company and lawyers would not hear of it. Study up on this and evaluate their risk exposure. Getting a lawyer assures Shawn that he will get his degree unless they can prove beyond any doubt that they are right to deny it - and there are always two points of view at a minimum - he does not jeopardize his years of work by acting appropriately and protecting his rights and the real and actual value in the name and this site.
Not filing the suit exposes Shawn to further pressures to conform to whatever their real agenda is - and it is not the success of this site. I will not be participating in a fraud or the move - thank you Tabitha.
What success? JHU is not interested in having the site - just the name and forcing Shawn to know they are in a position to do what they want. This lesson is an important lesson - and I can understand why people choose to acquiesce to such pressure but I have chosen to not do any such thing in my life and I will not be party to it.
If it is successful it is only because people have been allowed their right to express themself. Why would a university want to stop free expression? Ask yourselves if you honestly think there is a chance in hell that JHU could be named in a lawsuit and then proceed to act against Shawn? NO WAY! It would increase their risk exposure for a truly major lawsuit having to do with his potential earnings for decades. Their insurance company and lawyers would not hear of it. Study up on this and evaluate their risk exposure. Getting a lawyer assures Shawn that he will get his degree unless they can prove beyond any doubt that they are right to deny it - and there are always two points of view at a minimum - he does not jeopardize his years of work by acting appropriately and protecting his rights and the real and actual value in the name and this site.
Not filing the suit exposes Shawn to further pressures to conform to whatever their real agenda is - and it is not the success of this site. I will not be participating in a fraud or the move - thank you Tabitha.
I just wanted to take a moment and answer some of the questions that have been asked in this thread:
| QUOTE |
| When will Shawn complete his graduate studies? |
We are aiming for January of next year if not sooner.
| QUOTE |
| What about the other founder members? How do they figure here. Could it be that due to their financial input Shawn cannot shut down or they might sue him. |
We played that card. They threatened Shawn's career in response. Any members who's memberships have not expired when we move will retain their membership benefits as well as receiving an extension of benefits to apologize for the incovenience.
| QUOTE |
| But I would like to know what his supervisor is doing about supporting him. |
The situation was presented to him and he advised that the best thing to do would be to give in. Apparently, other students have had run-ins with the higher ups in the past and won, but suffered professional consequences later. Keep in mind, Shawn is hoping to do a post-doc at this same institution so burning bridges is not a good idea for us. Especially considering the status of JHU in the medical community.
| QUOTE |
| Are there JH regulations that prevent students from doing anyhting like this that Shawn should have known about before starting up. |
No.
| QUOTE |
| How do JH figure in the running of the forum/site/URL etc. Is there a cost to them. |
They do not run the site and there is no cost to them. We paid for this site and the domain out of our own pockets for quite some time and Shawn has spent thousands of hours coding it himself. In the last year or so we have had several members who made generous donations to the maintenance of the site when it got to be too much for us personally and others who donated their time and talent, which is a tremendous help.
| QUOTE |
| Have there been complaints to them (eg are there any abusers of the forum - language, sex, flaming JH, etc, etc)? |
There was a copyright infringement complaint lodged with the provost's office by a private individual over a misunderstanding. That is how they became aware of the site.
| QUOTE |
| How high has the demand to quit come from? Vice Chancellor (or whatever at JH) or departmental, shareholders, political? Have any legal eagles from or behalf of JH been involved? |
The Provost's office, which is basically a building full of lawyers to the Dean is making the demand. So it goes to the very top of the "food chain"
| QUOTE |
| Has Shawn taken any (of his own) legal advice at all? |
Yes. We have been informed that we would win in court but at great personal and professional costs. We have decided that this moral stance would cost us to much emotionally and personally and put too great a risk on Shawn's career to pursue it. This was a cost-benefit analysis we had to make based on our personal goals and desires. Shawn has received assurances that by turning over the name he will no longer risk professional damage.
| QUOTE |
| I assume that the matter of ISP will have to change whatever??? |
The domain will change. Our IP Address and our ISP will remain the same. We hope to continue hosting the new site with our current hosting service as they have performed so well given the amount of traffic we generate.
If anyone has further questions, please post them and we will try to answer as soon as we can.
| QUOTE (Robert the Bruce @ Nov 04, 09:14 PM) |
| Jealous over the success of this site - please. What success? JHU is not interested in having the site |
I don't think the poster meant that JHU was ever jealous of the site but rather that individuals who complained to the university about the site may have been motivated by jealousy or other base motives.
I will also add, just to clarify, that JHU is not demanding the site or the forum close. They are demanding that we turn over the rights to this domain name and change the name of the site. So, rest assured, that this site will continue. It will simply have a new name and URL
Thanks.
Thanks.
Sorry, please can you clarify. Who owns www.mind-brain.com? That is, the domain name. If it is Shawn, is he being pressurised into transferring it to JH. I think in the UK we call this mugging. You know, when someone hits you over the head and takes something from you that you own and would prefer to keep. Then you've lost your valuables and got a headache. Sometimes the victim dies. It's a crime here. Good luck to you Shawn. It's not your fault.
Tafkahh;
At the moment *I* am the legal registrant of www.mind-brain.com . Effective December 2, JHU will be the legal owner per our agreement with them. As I stated last night, this is neither fair nor right by anyone's definition but it is unfortunate reality.
So, on that note, maybe we should start a new thread on possible names for the site? We have a lot of hours of work ahead of us in moving this site so the sooner we decide on a name, the better.
At the moment *I* am the legal registrant of www.mind-brain.com . Effective December 2, JHU will be the legal owner per our agreement with them. As I stated last night, this is neither fair nor right by anyone's definition but it is unfortunate reality.
So, on that note, maybe we should start a new thread on possible names for the site? We have a lot of hours of work ahead of us in moving this site so the sooner we decide on a name, the better.
It's good to have an open discussion about the domain issue like this, but please be sure to not take things too far. Excessive emails and the like are certainly not encouraged. If you have a point to make to a relevant individual, then by all means, feel free to email them. But do not send out excessive emails or anything harrassing. Otherwise, I will end up catching the heat for it.
Also I would like to thank everyone here for their support. We will survive this incident, and in fact, thrive off of it. I am very grateful for everyone involved here and to those who have contributed their thoughts, feelings, and more.
Also I would like to thank everyone here for their support. We will survive this incident, and in fact, thrive off of it. I am very grateful for everyone involved here and to those who have contributed their thoughts, feelings, and more.
Having thought about this overnight now, it occurs to me that there are other things that ought to be considered in addition to the benign alternatives I outlined above. A brute force confrontation may escalate to an unwinnable situation (or maybe not), and more precise (intelligent) alternatives ought to be explored first.
In situations like this, the problem is often due to a single individual (at Johns Hopkins) who has either a.) gotten a greed flash, or b.) has embarked on a vendetta for some perceived slight from Shawn or someone else at Mind-Brain.com.
If a.), then perhaps a more sensible (in touch with the justice reality) person at JH might be requested to act as an intermediary to propose a reasonable solution. If b.), then, similarly, someone might be asked to step in and defuse the situation before it blows up into a lose-lose situation.
In situations like this, the problem is often due to a single individual (at Johns Hopkins) who has either a.) gotten a greed flash, or b.) has embarked on a vendetta for some perceived slight from Shawn or someone else at Mind-Brain.com.
If a.), then perhaps a more sensible (in touch with the justice reality) person at JH might be requested to act as an intermediary to propose a reasonable solution. If b.), then, similarly, someone might be asked to step in and defuse the situation before it blows up into a lose-lose situation.
yeah, mind-brain rules!
Please continue to use this thread for venting and asking questions about the specifics surrounding our agreement with JHU. However, we have started a new thread here to get input on the new name and any changes our members would like to see during the move.
Thank you all again for your support. We appreciate it very much.
Thank you all again for your support. We appreciate it very much.
Dear whomever is so phucken irresponsible for removing what I placed in this very space, right here this very last night, in relation to exactly why no mind-brain can advocate nor alienate any Mind-Brain matter or fourm for that matter: you're a genocidal indemocratic sychophant with a Pathological ugre for anarchy distressed as intelligence in bi-polarization of any diplomacy!
This means War: but I tell you to simply to GROW UP and face me face to face, you A class typical woman basher!
Jasper
This means War: but I tell you to simply to GROW UP and face me face to face, you A class typical woman basher!
Jasper
Jasper, what are you talking about? I edited a post that I know was not made by you with an email address. I see that the poster has since deleted their entire post. To my knowledge, that is the only thing that was edited or removed. If a moderator removed something you posted, please let me know what it was or PM Shawn. Unfortunately, he is at work right now so I can't ask him about it right this instant but I have emailed him to ask about your complaint.
Did the idea for the mind-brain.com domain name come from the Mind Brain Institute at JHU?
| QUOTE (Unknown @ Nov 09, 09:30 AM) |
| Did the idea for the mind-brain.com domain name come from the Mind Brain Institute at JHU? |
It's impossible to rule out the possibility that my being at the institute influenced my choice of domain name, either at a conscious level or subconscious level, bearing in mind that my interest in the 'mind-brain' relation well preceded my ever hearing of the institute by almost a decade. The question is, if I were at a different institute, would I still have chosen the 'mind-brain.com' domain? Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to this question.
| QUOTE (Robert the Bruce @ Nov 04, 09:14 PM) |
| I will not be participating in a fraud or the move |
apparently you are a liar, RTB
Dear Dan
Good research - see when you put your mind to it you can actualy DO something.
Let me explain my change of heart.
Rather than it actually being JHU who was at fault as Shawn had said. It was in fact Shawn who had consciously or unconsciously but fraudulently or at least illegally used the name without getting their approval. When I originally asked he indicated that his use of Mind-Brain preceded theirs but when I started reposting co-incides with the fact of this apparent misunderstanding.
Domain names with a .com do not subrogate prior use - if you remember the things I said about prior use or were to try to be fair (again you illustrate a mere attack dog mentality) you would have put that in context. However, if any manager knows how to delete all my postings and me access to this site and remove the possibility of google displaying these things of mine that are here I would appreciate it.
I really do not enjoy having to correct your stupid assertions and lies as well as the other goons and terrorists who never address the facts or read the postings to begin with.
It would appear Lindsay also has curtailed participation and he and Trip were just about the only regulars who even tried (Rick too) to have a discourse analysis.
Good research - see when you put your mind to it you can actualy DO something.
Let me explain my change of heart.
Rather than it actually being JHU who was at fault as Shawn had said. It was in fact Shawn who had consciously or unconsciously but fraudulently or at least illegally used the name without getting their approval. When I originally asked he indicated that his use of Mind-Brain preceded theirs but when I started reposting co-incides with the fact of this apparent misunderstanding.
Domain names with a .com do not subrogate prior use - if you remember the things I said about prior use or were to try to be fair (again you illustrate a mere attack dog mentality) you would have put that in context. However, if any manager knows how to delete all my postings and me access to this site and remove the possibility of google displaying these things of mine that are here I would appreciate it.
I really do not enjoy having to correct your stupid assertions and lies as well as the other goons and terrorists who never address the facts or read the postings to begin with.
It would appear Lindsay also has curtailed participation and he and Trip were just about the only regulars who even tried (Rick too) to have a discourse analysis.
| QUOTE (Robert the Bruce @ Nov 14, 08:15 AM) |
| It was in fact Shawn who had consciously or unconsciously but fraudulently or at least illegally used the name without getting their approval. |
RTB, why would Shawn need to get JHU's approval for use of the 'Mind-Brain.com' domain name when JHU obviously does not have exclusive rights to all things 'mind-brain'? 'Mind-brain' is a term that has been in use for centuries to denote the relations between mind and brain; it does not belong to anyone. That's like saying that 'kargaroo' belongs to Australia and that you should ask for permission from the Australian gov't before using the word.
This whole thread is really a moot topic anyway since the new name 'BrainMeta' is more original and much better than 'Mind-Brain'. But that's just my opinion.
It is a matter of building trade name recognition. The Mind-Brain Institute pre-existed the domain name and they are totally within their rights to not want the confusion of the value they pre-built in their Institute.
They use it as a logo if you will. You cannot usurp these things just by putting a new suffix onto it - and legally get away with it.
They use it as a logo if you will. You cannot usurp these things just by putting a new suffix onto it - and legally get away with it.
Who is from the The Mind-Brain Institute on this forum?
Just interesting.
Just interesting.
The site administrator and owner Shawn, is studying at Johns Hopkinks University (also known as the mind-brain institute).
This is stated in previous posts in this thread.
Long live BrainMeta, long live Shawn !!!!!
This is stated in previous posts in this thread.
Long live BrainMeta, long live Shawn !!!!!
So I wonder what they want of Shawn?
He created a nice forum.
I like this forum.
I think the University MUST cooperate with Shawn as, only prominent man can create such an interesting site and attract so any different and interesting people all around the world.
I think that Johns Hopkins University have to support Shawn instead creating problems. And help to increase the site database making it as academic as it is possible.
Hope this humble opinion will be taken for granted.
By the way, which person in the University is the main who creates the problems for the site? May I know his name, position. What are his motivations. Just interesting. Who knows maybe it will be possible to generate a good permanent solution to Shawn's problem?
He created a nice forum.
I like this forum.
I think the University MUST cooperate with Shawn as, only prominent man can create such an interesting site and attract so any different and interesting people all around the world.
I think that Johns Hopkins University have to support Shawn instead creating problems. And help to increase the site database making it as academic as it is possible.
Hope this humble opinion will be taken for granted.
By the way, which person in the University is the main who creates the problems for the site? May I know his name, position. What are his motivations. Just interesting. Who knows maybe it will be possible to generate a good permanent solution to Shawn's problem?
| QUOTE (Robert the Bruce @ Nov 14, 09:50 AM) |
| they are totally within their rights to not want the confusion of the value they pre-built in their Institute. |
RTB, how many people do you think are confused? The Mind-Brain Institute's Web site gets 10-20 unique visitors per day. This one gets 6000-12000 unique visitors per day. How many of those 6000-12000 visitors do you think got confused at the Mind-Brain.com site and thought it was the site for the Krieger Mind-Brain Institute at JHU? How many of those visitors do you think looked at the dotcom extension in 'Mind-Brain.com' and said to themselves "Gee, this '.com' (as opposed to .edu) extension must be here because 'Mind-Brain.com' is an educational institute; and because it's got 'Mind-Brain' in the domain name, it must be referring to the Krieger Mind-Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University"?
I'll tell you how many: None. No-one came to 'Mind-Brain.com' looking for the Krieger Mind-Brain Institute. If you run a search on google for 'mind brain', 'Mind-Brain.com' comes up at #1. If you run a search on google for 'mind brain institute', the website for the Krieger Mind-Brain Institute comes up at #1. There was no confusion. There is no substance to that claim.
Any person who sees Shawn is with the Mind-Brain Institute and has this site with the same name would be thinking there is an authorized connection. Trade Mark law is clear and unequivocal and one can establish that something is not Public Domain even if it was once a common phrase through their use of it.
And you can go through the posts to see I know what I am talking about and consulted my brother who is very expert in these matters - when I was told it was first used by Shawn - which was not true.
And you can go through the posts to see I know what I am talking about and consulted my brother who is very expert in these matters - when I was told it was first used by Shawn - which was not true.
| QUOTE (Robert the Bruce @ Nov 14, 09:50 AM) |
| It is a matter of building trade name recognition. |
I'll grant that they built trade name recognition for the name 'Krieger Mind-Brain Institute', but that does not mean they have exclusive rights over other people's usage of the term 'Mind-Brain'. It would be like Descartes (or descendents)claiming he had built trade name recognition over the term 'Mind-Brain' centuries before JHU, thereby barring the Krieger Mind-Brain Institute from using the term 'Mind-Brain' in their name. There is simply no substance to these types of arguments. You cannot claim exclusive rights over other people's usage of common words and terms. 'Mind-brain' is a common term. Hence, no-one can claim exclusive rights over it. It would be like the Super Duper Department of Philosophy at University X claiming it had exclusive rights over other people's usage of the term "philosophy". It's absurd.
| QUOTE (Robert the Bruce @ Nov 14, 10:41 AM) |
| Any person who sees Shawn is with the Mind-Brain Institute and has this site with the same name would be thinking there is an authorized connection. |
Where on this site does it say anything about Shawn's connection with the Krieger Mind-Brain Institute? Where on this site does it say anything to the effect that Shawn is owner of this site? If you find anything, please post the URLs to the relevant pages, as I do not believe such pages exist on this site.
| QUOTE (Enki @ Nov 14, 10:35 AM) |
| I think that Johns Hopkins University have to support Shawn instead creating problems. And help to increase the site database making it as academic as it is possible. |
I think this will all work out for the better. Not only does the site get a new and better name, but JHU's petty "requests" (aka demands) are also satisfied. Everyone's happy, right?
I think it says a lot that this site was a big enough threat to JHU to force it to take action. If the owners of this site were constrained to accept JHU's request to transfer ownership of the mind-brain.com domain, then that can just be interpreted as JHU winning the battle (for ownership of 'mind-brain.com') but losing the war (since this site still exists and apparently cannot be stopped).
I'll certainly be here to help out this site however I can.
Long live BrainMeta!
I'll certainly be here to help out this site however I can.
Long live BrainMeta!
| QUOTE |
| I think this will all work out for the better. Not only does the site get a new and better name, but JHU's petty "requests" (aka demands) are also satisfied. Everyone's happy, right? |
If Shawn is of the same opinion, then it is not necessary to mention the name of the Person(s) who creates problems to the site from the University.
Anyway I think there will be quite many interesting people who can conduct reliability testing of the firewalls of the university servers. I mean 6000-12000 visitors per day it is a significant number. You know probability, ideas percolation. I mean people from the JHU must weigh and consider what they do before implementing questionable strategies of grabbing others LOGO.
It looks like that some people from the University just want to rob popularity and trademark of the site. That is very bad gentlemen to do so. The sky is blue, the see is nice, and waters are calm. I am sure nobody wants storm in a water glass. I strongly dislike injustice. And as the President Bush says the Justice Must Be Done. Hope nobody in JHU may dare to question the words of US President?!
Shawn is a good man and he must be supported if he needs to be supported.
Ignorance is Bliss
Shawn created the problem by ripping off the name.
If Shawn is of the same opinion, then it is not necessary to mention the name of the Person(s) who creates problems to the site from the University.
Anyway I think there will be quite many interesting people who can conduct reliability testing of the firewalls of the university servers. I mean 6000-12000 visitors per day it is a significant number. You know probability, ideas percolation. I mean people from the JHU must weigh and consider what they do before implementing questionable strategies of grabbing others LOGO.
It does not matter if JHU got one visitor a year they would have Prior usage of the name.
Shawn created the problem by ripping off the name.
If Shawn is of the same opinion, then it is not necessary to mention the name of the Person(s) who creates problems to the site from the University.
Anyway I think there will be quite many interesting people who can conduct reliability testing of the firewalls of the university servers. I mean 6000-12000 visitors per day it is a significant number. You know probability, ideas percolation. I mean people from the JHU must weigh and consider what they do before implementing questionable strategies of grabbing others LOGO.
It does not matter if JHU got one visitor a year they would have Prior usage of the name.
| QUOTE (Robert the Bruce @ Nov 14, 01:59 PM) |
| Ignorance is Bliss Shawn created the problem by ripping off the name. |
RTB, you've failed to show that Shawn ripped off the name. Even if he was involved with the Krieger Mind-Brain Institute at the time of conception of the domain name 'mind-brain.com' does not constitute convincing proof that he ripped off the name. To say that he did so is just plain irresponsible. You should know better, but I guess no-one can put anything beneath you.
| QUOTE (Robert the Bruce @ Nov 14, 01:59 PM) |
| Shawn created the problem by ripping off the name. It does not matter if JHU got one visitor a year they would have Prior usage of the name. |
First of all when you quote others’ words Robert take care of putting frames, otherwise people may mix who wrote what [there is a small link in the right upper corner called quote], develop this culture of communication: respect readers. Though you never care to make rigid references to your writings, as you do not have academic mindset.
Second, the site was functioning for several years as far as I understood, and it looks like all were happy in the JHU, I mean there were not any problems. So what a MIRACULOUS change have happened that they persistently want NOW to take the LOGO by 2 December? I think it is interesting question. Interesting Esoteric Question.
Third, you personally was using this forum very intensively, so I wonder how you so easily concluded that Shawn “ripped off the name” without any evidence? More probably it looks like that JHU due to some UNKNOWN motivating factors decided just to grab popular LOGO. Looks like that that VERY IDEA probably was input into the BRAINS of some people of the University from outside [or was advised from outside]. I am not quite sure, but that looks like so. If my suspicions are true then it will be VERY interesting to know WHO and WHY did so.
Forth, I think that if Shawn needs any support, he must be helped. Certainly it will be very difficuly for him to oppose those demands if he studies in JHU. Actually I think that he is absolutely restricted in activities to protect his LOGO so that is why he transpose the forum LOGO from mind-brain.com to brainmetha.com, and possibly starting from 2 December when one will type mind-brain.com in the explorer address bar he will enjoy JHU site by then. And I am quite sure that Shawn is not be able to say to the site visitors and members that he needs help as his future life and career in some way or another is related with JHU.
BUT I think that Intelligent and people having Free Will, possible have to think how to let JHU guys, and especially those who initiated this LOGO shift, to know about those negative feelings which have risen among the site visitors after observation of that particular Administrative injustice, though even if Shawn made peace and subdued to the high will of the University.
I mean that ladies and gentlemen have to turn up creativity and sagacity and each invent a curious, interesting, alluring and funny way of how to make that remark. I mean that the guys from JHU MUST be reminded that Each MUST Cultivate His/Her Own Garden and not try to dig holes in other places. I just want to say that Shawn had good intentions opening this site (the site promotes Knowledge, helps to put new bricks on bricks thus constricting the magnificent building of the Civilization) and as is known the good intentions directed at building something always must be protected. That is the truth known from very old times. I wonder that I must remind about that from time to time.
Thank you in advance,
All the bests,
Enki
maybe JHU is trying to benefit off of the web popularity that 'mind-brain.com' has enjoyed? I doubt that's their primary motive, but I'd be surprised if it didn't factor into their equation.
Exactly!
Is this discussion board not a contradiction of the essence of what BrainMeta is supposed to represent?
Why focus any energy on a topic of this nature?
Why focus any energy on a topic of this nature?
Good point, MC. There's little point in focusing any more energy on this negative topic.
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